Parcel postage metering system

ABSTRACT

A parcel postage metering system comprises a scale for providing a parcel weight reading which is used in conjunction with the parcel destination (postal zone) to enter a postage memory and obtain the appropriate postage. The thus obtained postage controls apparatus for setting a postage meter to issue a stamp imprinted with the appropriate parcel postage. A zip code to zone conversion memory is incorporated to provide the appropriate zone entry into the postage rate memory, given the zip code of the parcel destination.

United States Patent Dlugos et a1.

[451 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] PARCEL POSTAGE METERING SYSTEM [72] Inventors:Daniel F. Dlugos, Huntington; Gerald C. Freeman, Norwalk; Peter N.Piotroski, Stamford, all of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Pitney-Bowes Inc., Stamford, Conn. [22] Filed: Jan. 18,1971 [21] App]. No.: 107,223

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,594,735 7/1971 Furlong etal ..340/173 LM 3,315,067 4/1967 Bell et a1 ..235/l5l.33 3,167,7401/1965 King et al. ..235/177 3,057,547 10/1962 Adler et a1. ..235/151.33X

Primary ExaminerEugene G. Botz Assistant ExaminerEdward J. WiseAttorney-William D. Soltow, Jr., Albert W. Scribner, Martin D. Wittsteinand Louis A. Tirelli [5 7] ABSTRACT A parcel postage metering systemcomprises a scale for providing a parcel weight reading which is used inconjunction with the parcel destination (postal zone) to enter a postagememory and obtain the appropriate postage. The thus obtained postagecontrols apparatus for setting a postage meter to issue a stampimprinted with the appropriate parcel postage. A zip code to zoneconversion memory is incorporated to provide the appropriate zone entryinto the postage rate memory, given the zip code of the parceldestination.

3,290,491 12/1966 Wahlberg ..235/l51.33X 23 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures A5 5 ZK'VZ M2: A0 L W i PATENTEDSEP 19 1912 SHEEI 01 HF 14 INVENTORSDANIEL F. DLUGOS GERALD c. FREEMAN PETER N. momosm BY wax M ATTORNEYPATENTED E 19 I972 3,692,988 sum 05 HF 14 FIG. 5

FIG. 20

PATENTED EP 19 I972 3.692.988 sum 07 0F 14 FIGS DOSTAGE MEMORY 52 APP{sop ups APP {SOP UPS 20m: 3 ZONE $2 LOCAL UPS BOOK RATE FIG.9

ZIP-ZONE MEMORY 90 PATENTED 19 3 692.988

SHEET 11 [1F 14 COMP 4 FIG. I3

/s OVERSIZE O A A 0/ LOGIC I00 8 I06 (.7 25 S LATCH 48! /F sL ,4 4:12 lI 5 o RESET 480 4 R0 8 MIN LBi '20 I \IOB r C u NTER 6b REG 156(7100)ROY ENT m POSTAGE DIGIT SELECTION APPARATUS 30 184 5?: COM P -L CLUTCH j532 A A 550' REG |54(/|o) j 5. .9 1 POSTAGE rzscmsz EXEC m METER r y 583 57 575 COMP '5 CLUTCH I A A g5 J Y 0 554a REG l50( T H 57 577 comp EXCLUTCH PATENTED SEP 19 I972 SHEET 120F 14 mom \1 own hmm

mom

llllll m Illllllll PATENTED 19 I972 3.692.988

SHEET 13 0F 14 FIG.I5

flag 1 PARCEL POSTAGE METERING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Therehave been a number of proposals for parcel postage systems to be used inthe processing of parcels for mailing or shipping. A comprehensive oruniversal system must be sufi'iciently flexible to handle a number ofvariables which are involved in mailing or shipping parcels. The weightof each parcel must be determined with reasonable accuracy and speed.The distances between the original and the various parcel destinationsmust be determined in order to identify the appropriate postal zone foreach parcel. Then, the postage applicable to each parcel must bedetermined on the basis of its weight and destination or postal zone.Having determined the applicable postage, a postage meter or the like isten set up and controlled to issue a stamp imprinted with that postage;the stamp being adhered to the parcel.

There are other factors or variables which a truly universal systemshould be equipped to handle. For example, the United States Post Officeofiers various classes of parcel post service, such as surface parcelpost and air parcel post, each with different postage rate schedulesbased according to weight and postal zone. Also, there is United ParcelService which ofiers parcel shipping services. It would thus bedesirable to have a system which can be selectively controlled tocompute postage or shipping charges for each of these differentservices.

In addition. there are factors such as insurance, special handling,special delivery, etc., which are often times desired and preferablyshould be capable of system implementation. Also, the special situationinvolving the computation of postage or shipping charges for oversizeparcels should be considered in the design of a universally flexibleparcel postage system.

When dealing with United Parcel Service, there are special shippingsituations which require an additional charge, such as when shippingfrom west to east. Moreover, United Parcel Service (UPS) does not haveauthorized land routes between a number of geographical locations andmust resort to so-called drop shipping, which presents a specialshipping charge situation. In some areas UPS has different rateschedules for intrastate and interstate shipments. All of these varioussituations should be accounted for.

Heretofore, some of the proposed parcel postage computing systems havebeen essentially special purpose and thus inflexible machines adapted tohandle only a single class of postage service. Attempts to providegeneral purpose machines have resulted in extreme complexity; suchsystems being unwieldy from both the operator standpoint and theservicing standpoint.

From a practical standpoint, such systems cannot operate without humanintervention. At the very least, an operator must be on hand todetermine the postal zone of each parcel destination. This determinationmust then be introduced into the system as an operator input. Otheroperator inputs manifesting selections of service, class of service,insurance, etc., are called for if the system is to be applicable todiverse mailings. An oversize parcel situation must also be entered intothe system by the operator if the correct postage is to be computed.Thus, operational simplicity is a most important consideration in thedesign of a truly flexible parcel postage system if the use of highlyskilled and thus highly paid operating personnel is to be avoided.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide animproved system for automatically determining parcel postage or shippingcharges for various selected types and classes of postal services.

An additional object is to provide a system of the above character whichis capable of rapidly processing a large number of parcels pursuant toautomatically determining the postage of each and controlling a postagemeter accordingly.

Still another object is to provide a system of the above character whichis selectively controllable to accommodate special situations requiringadditional postage or shipping charges, such as oversize parcels,insurance, special handling, etc.

An additional object is to provide a system of the above character whichis adapted to automatically determine the postal zone from the zip codeof the parcel destination address.

Another object is to provide apparatus for mechanically positioning thepostage digit selectors of a postage meter in accordance with thepostage determined by the system.

A further object is to provide a system of the above character which isreliable, accurate, and readily operated by relatively unskilledpersonnel.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in partappear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a system for weighing a parcel to be mailed or shipped andautomatically determining the postage or shipping charges therefor.Having done this, the system automatically controls a printing device,such as a postage meter, to issue a stamp imprinted with the appropriatepostage or shipping charge to be applied to the parcel. Theconsecutively executed functions of weighing, postage determination, andstamp issuance are performed rapidly, accurately and reliably withoutoperator intervention except to identify the parcel destination and forspecial circumstances.

More specifically, the present invention provides a scale for weighingsuccessive parcels. The weight of each parcel is translated into encodedweight data, which is stored in a register. The operator enters thegeographical zone to which the parcel is destined, i.e., the mailing orshipping distance. This zone entry and the stored weight data are usedto enter a postage memory which stores the postage or shipping chargesfor the various combinations of parcel weight and mailing distance(zone). The appropriate postage is read from the postage memory andstored in a register where it is used to condition a postage meter orthe equivalent to print out the appropriate postage, typically on astamp to be adhered to the parcel.

In many instances, the operator is not given the parcel destination zonebut rather the postal zip code of the parcel destination address. As animportant feature of the invention, the system includes a zip-to-zonememory which is adapted to convert a zip code entry by the operator tothe appropriate zone for entry into the postage memory.

The system of the present invention is also adapted to compute theproper postage or shipping charge applicable to oversize parcels. Whenthe operator determines that a parcel is oversized, he initiates anoversize designation input which automatically conditions the system todetermine if the oversize parcel weight is less or greater than anestablished minimum weight and determine the postage accordingly.

The system includes apparatus for interfacing the postage register,which is the system output register, with a conventional postage meter.Separate position encoders translate the digit positions of the variouspostage digit selector arms of the postage meter into coded digits whichare compared with the corresponding postage digits stored in the postageregister, as read from the postage memory. The postage digit selectorarms are separately driven through their various digit positions, and aseach assumes the digit positions corresponding to the associated digitsin the postage register, they are decoupled from their respectivedrives. When all have been positioned to set up a digit by digitcomparison with the postage held in the postage register, the postagemeter is triggered to issue a postage imprinted stamp.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature andobjects of the invention, reference should be had to the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a parcel postage metering systemconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an overall functional block diagram of the parcel postagemetering system of FIG. 1;

F IG. 3 is a detailed logic block diagram of the sequencer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed logic block diagram of the input/output register ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 to show thescale and encoder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detailed logic block diagram of the up/down counter of FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the up/downcounter of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of a pounds to postage conversiontable as stored in the postage memory of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of a zip code to postal zoneconversion table as stored in the zip-zone memory of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a logic block diagram of the address counter and comparatorof FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a detailed block diagram of the serial to parallel converterof FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a detailed logic block diagram of the postage ready logic ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a detailed logic block diagram of the oversize logic of FIG.2;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of one end portion of one of thelinks interconnecting the postage digit selection apparatus of FIG. 14and the postage meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a detailed logic block diagram of the postage data handlingportion of the postage digit selection apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a overall functional block diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the console portion of the postage metering system of FIG.1; and

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a portion of a pounds to postage conversiontable as stored in the postage memory of FIG. 19.

Like reference notations refer to corresponding parts throughout severalviews of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1,the parcel postage system of the present invention includes a console,generally indicated at 10, which contains, among other things,electronic circuitry for processing weight and postage data. Parcelweight data is obtained from a scale, generally indicated at 12,incorporated in console 10, while postage data is primarily obtainedfrom a memory drum, generally indicated at 14 and also accommodatedwithin the console. As will be seen, memory drum 14 has two separatememory banks; one storing a postage rate schedule and the other storinga zip code to postal zone conversion table. The data stored on memorydrum 14 is optically encoded as opaque and transparent binary bits whichare sensed by optical readout stations. As seen in FIG. 1, a lightemitter l6 shines light through the postage rate memory bank peripheralportion of the memory drum 14 to a receiver 18, consisting of an arrayof suitable photosensors such as phototransistors. Similarly, the zip tozone memory bank peripheral portion of the memory drum is read out usinga light emitter 20 and a receiver 22. Memory drum 14 is rotated by amotor 24 and an interconnecting belt drive 25.

It will readily occur to those in the art that other forms of datamemories may be employed in the system of the present invention. Forexample, the postage and zone data may be optically encoded on one ormore transparent discs. Moreover, suitable data memories may be providedin the form of magnetically encoded discs and drums, or even magneticcore matrices, although it is preferred to use a cyclical memory whereinthe data is revolved passed readout stations, thus simplifying accessingfrom a component standpoint.

The console 10 also includes a control panel, generally indicated at 26in FIG. 1, which contains a plurality of mode keys selectively depressedby an operator to initiate various system operating modes to bedescribed. The control panel also includes numerical entry keysaccommodating the manual input of data pursuant to the invention. Spaceis also provided in the control panel 26 to accommodate a display panel26b where data is displayed; such data being system derived postage andweight data, as well as data entered from the control panel 26.

The console is electrically linked to electromechanical postageselection apparatus, generally indicated at 30. The selection apparatus,as will be seen, is mechanically linked to a postage meter 32 of knownconstruction, such as a Pitney-Bowes 5300 Series Postage Meter. Parcelpostage data derived at the console on the basis of the parcel weight isfed to the selection apparatus 30, which operates to mechanicallyposition the various postage digit selector arms, jointly indicated at33 in FIG. 1, by way of interconnecting links, jointly indicated at 34,so as to set up the postage meter 32 for the proper postage. The postagemeter is then signaled to issue a stamp printed with the value of thepostage received from console 10.

At this point, it should be pointed out that the system of the presentinvention is applicable to United States Post Office parcel post serviceand United Parcel Service (UPS). As is well known, a parcel can be senteither by parcel post (PP) or UPS. Thus, when reference is made todetermining the applicable postage, this is intended to mean either thepostage charged by the Post Ofiice or the shipping charges applicable tothe parcel if sent by UPS. Each service has its own rate scheduledetermined on the basis of the parcel weight, and, generally speaking,the distance the parcel is to be sent, and, in fact, the presentinvention contemplates storing both rate schedules on memory drum 14.

In practice, parcels would be separated into groups depending uponwhether they are to be sent by PP or UPS. One group of parcels, forexample, those to be sent by Parcel Post would be successively weighedon a scale 12 to obtain the parcel postage stamps from postage meter 32;the postage values being automatically deducted from a prepaid postageamount entered by postal officials. The parcel postage meter 32 wouldthen be removed; the cover 31 being opened and the links 34 readilydisconnected from the postage digit selector arms 33. A UPS meter issubstituted, and the console 10 is conditioned to determine the shippingcharges for the parcels to be sent by UPS.

Alternatively, separate selection apparatus 30 and mechanicallyinterlinked meters 32 can be provided for each service. They would beseparately electrically linked to the console and would be individuallyselected from the control panel 26 by the operator according to whichservice is to be employed, either PP or UPS, for each parcel beingweighed on scale 12.

Overall System Block Diagram The basic operation of the system of FIG. 1will be more readily understood from the system block diagram seen inFIG. 2. With the exception the postage meter 32 and theelectromechanical selection apparatus 30, all of the components seen inFIG. 8 are functionally and physically located within console 10. When aparcel is placed on scale 12, its mechanical response is coupled to ascale encoder 36 adapted to convert the parcel weight into aproportional number of pulses which are accumulated in a counter 40. Aswill be seen, counter 40 is an up/down pulse counter, enabling it toaccurately follow the scale response as it oscillates about andultimately settles down to a final weight reading.

The operator, upon reading the parcel address destination, determinesthe appropriate postal zone on the basis of the distance between hisgeographical location and the parcel destination. The operator entersthe postal zone by depression of the appropriate key of a numericalentry keyboard 26a included in control panel 26 (FIG. 1). This zoneentry is supplied by connection 42 and a multiplexer or switch 44 to azone register 46. Prior to the entry of a zone from numerical entrykeyboard 26a, the operator presses a mode key Z included in a mode keygroup 54, which has as one of its functions the conditioning ofmultiplexer 44 to route the keyboard zone entry through to zone register46. The zone digit entry held in zone register 46 conditions a zoneselector 50 to effect appropriate zone entry into the postage memory 52which, as previously noted, comprises one of the memory banks carried bymemory drum 14 (FIG. 1 In physical terms, zone entry into the postagememory 52 is effective by selecting one of a plurality ofphototransistors, or the equivalent, included in the receiver array 18generally illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be subsequently described, thepostage memory 52 includes a series of side by side zone channels inwhich postage data is serially recorded by parcel weight. Thus, the zoneselector 50 effects selection of the appropriate phototransistor of thereceiver array 18 which is aligned with the channel of the postagememory 52 assigned to the particular zone entered into the zone register46 from the keyboard 26a.

The next operator function, and in most situations the only remainingoperator function required for each parcel, is to depress a postagerequest key PR included in mode key group 54 in control panel 26. Thisgenerates an input over lead 55 to a sequencer 56 which operates toorganize the system operating functions pursuant to determining theapplicable parcel postage.

Since the appropriate zone has already been entered into zone register46, thereby accessing postage memory 52 for all postage data, regardlessof parcel weight, for that particular zone, the sequencer 56 generates asignal RD LBS over lead 57 to an input/output register 58. This signalconditions register 58 for acceptance of the appropriate postage dataread from the postage memory 52 over connection 59 to a serial toparallel converter 60 and thence over connection 61 and multiplexer 62to the input/output register. As will be described, the postage data isstored and read out from postage memory in serial binary coded decimal,while the input/output register 58 is designed to accept the postagedata in serial digit, parallel bit fashion. Thus, the serial to parallelconverter 60 is necessary to accept the digit bits serially from postagememory 52 and successively pass the bits of each postage digit inparallel to the input/output register 58. The memory 52 also includes apostage clock bit channel which is read out to provide postage clockpulses POST CLK over lead 63 to converter 60 for synchronizing theserial to parallel conversion.

Having accessed the postage memory 52 for the appropriate zone, it nowremains to further access the postage memory for the appropriate parcelweight, held in up/down counter 40, in order to obtain the applicablepostage for entry into input/output register 58. To this end, thepostage memory is provided with a pound clock pulse channel in which arerecorded a series of pound clock bits located in predetermined relationto the stored postage data. These pound clock pulses LB CLK, read outduring each revolution of the drum memory 14 (FIG. 1), are applied overlead 64 to an address counter 66. The pound clock pulse countaccumulating in address counter 66 is continuously compared in acomparator 68 with the parcel weight stored in the up/down counter 40supplied over connection 69. When a comparison is reached between thepulse counts in address counter 66 and up/down counter 40, comparator 68generates a compare signal COMP over lead 70 to the sequencer 56. Due tothe arrangement of the postage data in postage memory 52, the generationof compare signal COMP signals that the postage data applicable to theparcel weight registered in the up/down counter 40 is about to be readout to the serial to parallel converter 60. The sequencer circuit 56, inresponse to the compare signal COMP generates a read postage commandsignal RD POST over lead 72 to the serial to parallel converter 60. Thissignal conditions the converter 60 to perform the serial to parallel bitconversion on a digit by digit basis for the next four postage digitsread from the postage memory 52. The four bits of each postage digit areassembled and then transferred in parallel, digit by digit, to theinput/output register 58. Each postage digit is shifted into theinput/output register in response to an enter postage signal ENT POSTgenerated over lead 74.

When the last of the four postage digits, in the illustrated embodimentof the invention, has been assembled in parallel bit fashion and shiftedinto the input/output register 58, the serial to parallel converter 60generates a postage entered signal POST ENT over line 78 to a postageready logic circuit 80. Prior to receipt of this signal the postageready logic circuit 80 provides a postage not ready signal POST R D Yover lead 82 to the sequencer 56 effective to enable the varioussequence control functions of the sequencer. When the postage not readysignal POST m goes false in response to receipt of the postage enteredsignal POST ENT, signifying that the postage has been fully entered intothe input/output register 58, the sequencer 56 is effectively disabled.

Assuming that no additional postage over and above the postage valueheld in the input/output register is applicable to the particular parcelon scale 12, the postage ready circuit 80 generates a ready enter signalRDY ENT which is supplied over lead 84 to the electromechanical postageselection apparatus 30. This apparatus then looks at the postage digitsregistered in the input/output register 58 communicated over connection85 and operates to mechanically position the postage digit selector arms33 of postage meter 32 accordingly via the interconnecting links,diagrammatically indicated at 34 in FIG. 2. After all the postage levershave been approximately positioned by the selection apparatus 30, anexecute signal EXEC issues over lead 87, signaling the postage meter toexecute a print cycle and issue an appropriately imprinted postage stampwhich may then be applied to the parcel. After the postage meter 32 hasissued the stamp, it issues a cycle complete signal which is fed backover lead 89 to the console for the purpose of resetting the consolecomponents preparatory for the next parcel.

In some of the cases, it is contemplated that the operator will not besupplied with the postal zone or the parcel destination, but will beable to readily obtain the zip code of the parcel destination typicallyrecorded on the parcel address. In these cases, the operator enters thefirst three digits of the zip code into the input/output register 58 vianumerical keyboard 26a and multiplexer 62. It is only when key 2 isdepressed preparatory to a direct zone entry, that the keyboard isconnected by multiplexer 44 to the zone register 46.

With the entry of a zip code into the input/output register and thedepression of the postage request key PR, the sequencer 56 initiates azone search through a zip to zone memory 90, included as the othermemory bank carried by memory drum 14 (FIG. 1). As will be seen, thezip-zone memory 90 includes a zip clock bit channel, with each zip clockbit storage position aligned with a binary coded decimal zone storageposition. As will become apparent, the zip-zone memory is speciallyencoded on the basis of the geographical location of each particularsystem installation, since the applicable postal zone in each case isdetermined by the distance to the parcel destination. These zip clockbits are read as zip clock pulses ZIP CLK from the zip-zone memory 90during each memory drum revolution and are fed over lead 92 to sequencer56 during a zone search. These zip clock pulses are gated through as addclock pulses ADD CLK over lead 93 to the input/output register 58.

As will be seen, the input/output register is adapted not only as abinary coded decimal (BCD) digit shift register, but also as a BCDcounter. Thus, each zip clock pulse ZIP CLK gated through as an addclock pulse ADD CLK to the input/output register increments the zip codenumber registered therein by one. The input/output register isincremented until it overflows, i.e., goes from 999 to 000. Whenoverflow occurs, the input/output register 58 generates a read storezone signal RD STR ZONE on output lead 95 to zone register 46. The zoneregister responds by accepting and holding the zone numbercoincidentally read from the zip-zone memory 90 and supplied overconnection 97 and multiplexer 44.

From this general description, it is seen that by serially arranging thezone data in the zip-zone memory 90 in accordance with the distancebetween the various zip code designated geographical locations and thesystem installation location, where the zone data is located in thememory by counting up to the compliment of the zip code held in theinput/output register, the appropriate zone can be entered into the zoneregister 46 from the zip-zone memory 90, thereby effecting a zip to zoneconversion.

The read store zone signal RD STR ZONE on output lead 95 is alsosupplied to the sequencer 56 to indicate that the appropriate zone hasbeen located and entered into the zone register 46 and that a search ofthe postage memory 52 for the applicable postage may now be performed inthe manner previously generally described.

Occasionally, the system of the present invention may be called upon todetermine the postage applicable to an oversize package. Under both thePP and UPS rate schedules, the postage applicable to an oversizedpackage is determined as follows. If the oversize package is less thanan established minimum weight, 25 pounds for UPS and 10 pounds for PP,the applicable postage is determined on the basis of the establishedminimum weight. However, if the oversize parcel weights more than theestablished minimum weight, the applicable postage is determined by itsactual weight.

Still referring to FIG. 2, when the operator determines that aparcelplaced on scale 12 is oversized, an oversize key /8 is depressed,conditioning an oversize logic circuit 100 over lead 102. During thesearching of the postage memory 52 for the applicable postage, theaccumulating count of the pound clock pulses LB CLK read from thepostage memory 52 into the address counter 66 is applied over connection104 to the oversize logic circuit 100, as well as the comparator 68. Theoversize logic circuit also receives the compare output COMP fromcomparator 68. As will be seen, the count content of the address counter66 is continuously decoded to detect when it is incremented to theestablished minimum pound value. Until this minimum pound value isreached in the search of the postage memory 52, the oversize logiccircuit 100 supplies a signal O78 over lead 106 to the sequencer 56, ineffect telling the sequencer to disregard the compare signal COMPissuing from the comparator 68 over lead 70, which would occur if theoversized package weighs less than the established minimum. In thiscase, when the address counter increments to the established minimumweight value, the oversize logic circuit 100 supplies a read minimumpounds signal RD MIN LBS over lead 108 to the sequencer 56, whichresponds by issuing the read postage signal RD POST over lead 72 to theserial to parallel converter 60. The postage applicable to theestablished minimum weight is thus entered into the input/outputregister.

On the other hand, if the established minimum weight value is achievedin the address counter 66 before a compare signal COMP issues fromcomparator 68, the oversize logic circuit 100 is converted to itsinoperative state as though it had not been conditioned in the firstinstance by oversize key 0/8. The disabling effect of the signal O7S isremoved, and the sequencer awaits the receipt of the compare signal COMPfrom comparator 68 pursuant to retrieval from the postage memory 52 ofthe postage value based on the actual weight of the oversized parcel.

In certain situations dealing with the UPS system, a nominal additionalpostage charge is required in shipping parcels between certainlocations. These special situations can be conveniently handled inaccordance with the present invention by providing recorded flag bits inthe zip-zone memory 90 which are read out as flag pulses into thepostage ready logic 80 over lead 109 under the control of the read storezone signal RD STR ZONE at the same time that the zone is read into thezone register 46. After the postage applicable to the parcel weight hasbeen located in the postage memory 52 and entered into the input/outputregister 58, the postage ready logic 80 determines whether it receivedon or more flag pulses over lead 109 from the zip-zone memory 90 at thetime the proper zone was located and entered into the zone register 46.If flag pulses had been received, the postage ready logic circuit 80 isconditioned to accept over connection 1 11 from the zip-zone memory 90uniquely coded bits in effect designating the amount of additionalpostage to be added to the postage already registed in the input/outputregister 58. The postage ready logic circuit generates an add clock gatepulse ADD CLK GATE over lead 112 to the sequencer 56 effective to gatethrough to the input/output register a predetermined number of zip clockpulses ZIP CLK as add clock pulses ADD CLK to the input/output register58. The input/output register is thus incremented accordingly so as toregister the original postage plus the additional postage.

The various entries into the input/output register 58, such as zip codenumbers and postage are displayed at the display panel 26b. In addition,a key in group 54 may be depressed to condition the display panel todisplay the parcel weight in the up/down counter 40 communicated overconnection 1 13.

Sequencer The sequencer 56 of FIG. 2, as seen in detail in FIG. 3,operates to initate various system operating modes and insures that thevarious operating steps involved in each mode are performed in theappropriate sequence. Specifically, the sequencer 56 is conditioned byvarious mode keys of the group 54 to initiate a particular operatingmode. As seen in FIG. 3, the postage request key PR, postagedisplay/only key D/O, additional postage key and the zone entry key 2,upon depression, provide separate inputs directly to the sequencer 56.The oversize key 0/8 of the group 54, as seen in FIG. 2, applies itsinput to the oversize logic which, in turn, provides signal (to thesequencer. The mode of function keys PR, D/O, and Z, upon depression areeffective to set respective flip-flops PREF, D/OF F, $F F and ZFF. Theseflip-flops serve as latches for their respective keys, and thus a keyneed only be momentarily depressed to register the fact that aparticular operating mode has been called for. These flip-flops are setby depressions of their respective keys and are reset by the cyclecomplete signal 0 issued by the postage meter 32.

Depression of the postage request key PR initiates the system operationculminating in the issuance of a postage imprinted stamp by postagemeter 32 applicable to the parcel placed on scale 12. Postage displayonly key D/O initiates essentially the same operation as the postagerequest key PR, except that the applicable postage is merely displayedat the display panel 115 (FIG. 2). Thus, the postage display onlyfunction is largely a test function performed to check the operatingaccuracy of the system The additional postage key S is employed in thesituation where additional postage, over the above the postageapplicable to the parcel weight, is to be applied to a parcel. Thus, keyS is depressed prior to the entry of numerical postage data fromkeyboard 26a into the input/output register 58 to cover the cost of, forexample, insurance, special handling, etc. Upon depression of postagerequest key PR, the postage selection apparatus 30 is immediatelyactuated by the signal RDY ENT to set up the postage meter 32 to theaddition postage value in register 58 and issue an additional postageimprinted stamp.

The zone entry key Z is depressed preparatory to the entry of the zoneof the parcel destination directly from the keyboard 26a into the zoneregister 46 (FIG. 2). As will be seen, the system is normallyconditioned to accept the parcel destination keyboard entry into theinput/output register in the form of a zip code number. The system thenproceeds to search the zip-zone

1. A postage metering system comprising, in combination: A. a scale forweighing a parcel; B. an encoder providing an electrical readout of theweight reading of said scale; C. a weight register electricallyconnected to said encoder for registering said electrical readout; D. acyclical postage memory storing a weight to postage conversion table,said table including
 1. a channel storing a series of weight clockpulses, each pulse representing an increment of parcel weight, and 2.recorded postage data physically arranged by parcel weight and postalzones; E. a cyclical zip-zone memory storing a zip code to postal zoneconversion table, said table including
 1. a channel storing a series ofzip clock pulses, each pulse representing a different zip code number,and
 2. stored postal zone data physically associated with each zip clockpulse to provide the postal zone number conversion for the zip codenumber represented thereby; F. a zone register adapted to hold a postalzone number and adapted to access said postage memory for the postageassigned thereto; G. entry means for entering a zip code number; H. zonesearch means initiated upon a postage request to accumulate said zipclock pulses read from said zip-zone memory from the beginning of amemory cycle and thereby locate the stored postal zone number conversionfor the entered zip code number, said located postal zone numberconversion being entered into said zone register; I. an output register;J. postage memory address means initiated upon entry of a postal zonenumber in said zone register, said means including
 1. an address counterfor accumulating weight clock pulses read from said postage memory fromthe beginning of a memory cycle, and
 2. a comparator for comparing thecontents of said weight register and said address counter and providinga weight compare signal locating in said postage memory the postage dataapplicable to the parcel weight registered in said weight register; saidlocated postage data being entered in said output register; K. a postagemeter; and L. means for setting said postage meter to the postage digitsof the postage data in said output register and initiating a meteroperating cycle.
 2. recorded postage data physically arranged by parcelweight and postal zones; E. a cyclical zip-zone memory storing a zipcode to postal zone conversion table, said table including
 2. storedpostal zone data physically associated with each zip clock pulse toprovide the postal zone number conversion for the zip code numberrepresented thereby; F. a zone register adapted to hold a postal zonenumber and adapted to access said postage memory for the postageassigned thereto; G. entry means for entering a zip code number; H. zonesearch means initiated upon a postage request to accumulate said zipclock pulses read from said zip-zone memory from the beginning of amemory cycle and thereby locate the stored postal zone number conversionfor the entered zip code number, said located postal zone numberconversion being entered into said zone register; I. an output register;J. postage memory address means initiated upon entry of a postal zonenumber in said zone register, said means including
 2. a comparator forcomparing the contents of said weight register and said address counterand providing a weight compare signal locating in said postage memorythe postage data applicable to the parcel weight registered in saidweight register; said located postage data being entered in said outputregister; K. a postage meter; and L. means for setting said postagemeter to the postage digits of the postage data in said output registerand initiating a meter operating cycle.
 2. The postage metering systemdefined in claim 1, wherein said electrical readout of said encoder isin the form of a series of pulses proportional in number to the weightreading of said scale, said weight register is in the form of an up/downpulse counter connected to accumulate said pulses.
 2. a motorcontinuously drivingly rotating said clutch input shafts;
 2. saidpostage data consists of discrete, recorded postage values seriallyarranged according to parcel weight as represented by the accumulatingcounts of said weight clock pulses read out from the beginning of saidconversion tables during a cycle of said memory,
 2. a motor continuouslydrivingly rotating said clutch input shafts;
 2. gating means activatedfor an oversized parcel situation and connected to receive said firstand second control signals, said gating means operating to generate astore postage signal in response to said first control signal when theparcel weight exceeds the minimum weight and in response to said secondcontrol signal when the parcel weight is less than the minimum weight;and G. an output register conditioned by said store postage signal toaccept and hold the postage data located by the one of said first andsecond control signals to which said store postage signal is responsive.3. links interconnecting the respective output shafts of said clutchesto the units, tenths, and hundredths postage digit selector arms of thepostage meter, whereby to reciprocate the various postage digit selectorarms through their various digit positions so long as their respectiveclutches are engaged;
 3. said address means includes a counter foraccumulating said weight clock pulses read from said memory from thebeginning of each said conversion table, and a comparator forcontinuously comparing the count in said counter with the contents ofsaid weight register and generating said first control signal when thecomparison is detected, and
 3. links interconnecting the respectiveoutput shafts of said clutches to the units, tenths, and hundredthspostage digit selector arms of the postage meter, whereby to reciprocatethe various postage digit selector arms through their various digitpositions so long as their respective clutches are engaged;
 3. Thepostage metering system defined in claim 2, wherein said encoder isadapted to provide distinctively different pulse outputs Depending uponthe direction of response of said scale, and said weight registerincludes steering logic circuitry adapted to interpret said encoderpulse outputs and control said up/down counter to be incremented anddecremented in accordance with the scale response direction.
 4. Thesystem defined in claim 1, wherein said entry means includes a numericalkeyboard for entering zip code and postal zone numbers, and means forselectively conditioning said zone register to accept a postal zonenumber entry directly from said keyboard and thereupon to immediatelyinitiate said postage memory address means without initiating said zonesearch means.
 4. separate means coupled to each said clutch output shaftfor providing digital readouts of the digit positions of the associatedpostage meter digit selector arms as they are moved through theirvarious digit positions; and
 4. said oversized parcel logic circuitryincludes means for registering weight data representing the minimumweight for an oversized parcel, a counter for accumulating said weightclock pulses read from said memory from the beginning of each saidconversion table, and a comparator for comparing the count in saidcounter and the minimum weight data in said registering means andgenerating said second control signal when a coincidence is sensed. 4.separate means coupled to each said clutch output shaft for providingdigital readouts of the digit positions of the associated postage meterdigit selector arms as they are moved through their various digitpositions; and
 5. separate comparator means for continuously comparingthe digital readouts of the postage digit poistions of the variouspostage digit selector arms with the corresponding postage digit held inthe output register, and, as comparisons are achieved, signalling theappropriate clutches to disengage their input shafts from their outputshafts, whereby to stop thE various postage digit selector arms at thepostage digit position called for by the corresponding postage digitsheld in the output register.
 5. separate comparator means forcontinuously comparing the digital readouts of the postage digitpositions of the various postage digit selector arms with thecorresponding postage digit held in the output register, and, ascomparisons are achieved, signalling the appropriate clutches todisengage their input shafts from their output shafts, whereby to stopthe various postage digit selector arms at the postage digit positioncalled for by the corresponding postage digits held in the outputregister.
 5. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said output registeris adapted to hold a zip code number entered by said entry means and isfurther adapted as a pulse counter for accumulating said zip clockpulses read from said zip-zone memory, said zone search means includingfirst gating means operating to pass said zip clock pulses to saidoutput counter to increment said output register and second gating meansfor detecting when said output register is zeroed to develop a storezone signal conditioning said zone register to accept and hold thepostal zone member conversion for said zip code entry, as read from saidzip-zone memory.
 6. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said entrymeans comprises a numerical keyboard for generating a zip code numberentry, and said zone search means includes a counter for accumulatingsaid zip clock pulses and a comparator for generating a store zonesignal conditioning said zone register to accept and hold the postalzone number conversion for the entered zip code number, as read fromsaid zip-zone memory, when said counter has been incremented to theentered zip code number.
 7. The system defined in claim 1, wherein saidpostage data is stored in said postage memory in serial binary codeddecimal, said system further includes a serial to parallel converteroperating to arrange the bits of each postage data digit read seriallyfrom said postage memory for parallel transmission, digit by digit, tosaid output register.
 8. The system defined in claim 7, wherein saidpostage memory stores a series of postage clock pulses which are readout to synchronize the operation of said serial to parallel converter.9. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said postage of said weight topostage conversion table is grouped in successive postal zone datablocks, each said block including postage for a particular postal zoneand arranged relative to said weight clock pulses by parcel weight, andsaid system further includes a zone counter adapted to be incremented aseach said zone data block comes up for readout during each cycle of saidpostage memory and a comparator adapted to provide a zone compare signalwhen said zone counter has been incremented to the postal zone numberheld in said zone register, said zone compare signal serving to accesssaid postage memory for the postage data assigned to the postal zonenumber held in said zone register.
 10. The system defined in claim 9,wherein said postage memory address means further includes gating meansconnected to detect a coincidence of said zone compare signal and saidweight compare signal for developing a store postage command signalconditioning said output register to hold the applicable postage, asread from said postage memory.
 11. The system defined in claim 1, whichfurther includes oversize logic circuitry adapted to be triggered to anactivated condition for an oversized parcel situation, said circuitryincluding first gating means for inhibiting said weight compare signalas long as said circuitry is in its activated condition, means connectedto said postage memory address means for generating a read minimumweight signal locating in said postage memory for entry into said outputregister the postage applicable to an oversized parcel weighing lessthan an established minimum weight, and second gating means responsiveto sAid weight compare signal and said read minimum weight signal forde-activating said oversize logic circuitry when an oversized parcelweighs more than the established minimum weight.
 12. The system definedin claim 1, which further includes a display panel electricallyconnected to display the numerical content of said output register. 13.The system defined in claim 1, which further includes add-on postagelogic circuitry conditioned by flag bits stored in said zip-zone memoryand read therefrom in conjunction with the readout of the postal zonenumber conversion into said zone register, said add-on postage logicincluding means for incrementing the applicable parcel postage enteredin said output register from said postage memory to a selected increasedvalue.
 14. The system defined in claim 13, wherein said add-on postagelogic circuitry includes gating means adapted to pass a predeterminednumber of said zip clock pulses read from said zip-zone memory toincrement the applicable postage in said output register entered fromsaid postage memory.
 15. The system defined in claim 14, wherein saidadd-on postage logic circuitry includes gating means controlled by apulse counter counting said zip clock pulses up to said predeterminednumber.
 16. The system defined in claim 14, wherein said zip-zone memorystores add-on postage control data at the end of said zip code to postalzone conversion table, said add-on postage logic circuitry includesmeans responsive to the readout of said add-on postage control data forcontrolling said gating means to pass a predetermined number of said zipclock pulses to increment the postage held in said output register. 17.The system defined in claim 1, wherein said entry means includes akeyboard for entering postage directly into said output register, andsaid system further includes means initiating operation of said postagemeter setting means upon keyboard entry of postage into said outputregister.
 18. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said postage metersetting means includes:
 19. The system defined in claim 18 wherein saidpostage meter setting means further includes gating means electricallyconnected to each said comparator means for signalling the postage meterto execute a print cycle upon disengagement of all of said clutches. 20.A parcel postage metering system comprising, in combination: A. a scalefor weighing a parcel and providing a digital readout of its weight; B.a weight register for storing said digital weight readout; C. aread-only memory containing zone address data for separately locating aplurality of stored weight-to-postage conversion tables, each saidconversion table containing weight address data for separately locatiNgassociated postage data; D. a zone register for storing the postal zonenumber of the parcel destination; E. memory address means responsive tothe contents of said weight and zone registers and the readouts of saidzone and weight address data from said memory for generating a firstcontrol signal locating the postage data applicable to the parcel; F.oversized parcel logic circuitry including
 21. The parcel postagemetering system defined in claim 20, wherein:
 22. The parcel postagemetering system defined in claim 20 which further includes a postagemeter and postage digit selection apparatus operating to physicallyposition the various postage digit selector arms of said meter inaccordance with the digits of the postage data held in said outputregister.
 23. The system defined in claim 22, wherein said postage digitselection apparatus includes: